The Commercial Pilot Certificate is required professional helicopter pilots and those wishing to become Certificated Flight Instructors.  Students seeking a rating are required to prove US Citizenship and Flight Instructors must examine and keep a copy of a US Birth Certificate, US Passport, or Naturalization papers.   Citizens of other countries are required to register with the Transportation Security Administration prior to beginning training.

What are the requirements for the Helicopter Commercial Pilot certificate?

Commercial Pilot - Helicopter FAA Rating Requirements

• Minimum 18 Years Old to Take Commercial Pilot Flight Test
• Must Read, Write, Understand, and Speak English 
• Hold a Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate (or Meet the Commercial "Add-On" Requirements)
• Minimum of 150 Hours of Flight Time, 100 hours minimum in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters.
• Current FAA Medical Certificate
  
• Minimum of 100 Hrs of "Pilot in Command" (PIC) Flight Time Including at Least 35 Hrs PIC in a Helicopter
• Tests:
• Pass an FAA Oral and Practical Flight Test 
• Pass an FAA Written Knowledge Test

  150 Hours (Minimum) Total Pilot Time in Helicopters Must Include

• 100 hours of "Pilot-in-Command" Flight Time (35 hours or more of which must be in a helicopter)  and must include:
• 3 hours of Night Dual Instruction
• 10 hours of Cross-Country Helicopter Experience
• 20 hours of Dual Instruction in the Required Areas of Operation 61.127(b)(3)
• 5 hours control and maneuvering of a helicopter solely by reference to instruments
• 2-hour cross country flight in a helicopter in daytime conditions with one (1) 50 nautical-mile "leg"
• 2-hour cross country flight in a helicopter in nighttime conditions with one (1) 50 nautical-mile "leg"
• 3 hours of dual instruction in the preceeding 60 days in preparation for the Checkride
• 10 hours solo flight time in a helicopter (or as PIC with a CFI) which must include:
  
• One (1) Cross-Country Solo flight with three landings and one (1) 50 nautical-mile minimum "leg"
• 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings

What is the average length of time it takes to get the Helicopter Commercial Pilot certificate?

90 hours + your Private Pilot Certificate

What if I already have an Airplane Pilot Certificate (Commercial, ATP)?

You'll take the helicopter instruction as an add-on rating.  You are not required to take the FAA Private Helicopter written exam and the minimum number of total required dual training hours is reduced. 

Requirements for Pilots WITH airplane pilot certificates

• Already hold a Helicopter Private (or higher) Pilot Certificate 
  
• Current FAA Medical Certificate
• Minimum of 150 hrs of Flight Time, 100 hours of which must be in Powered Aircraft
• Minimum of 100 hrs of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Time, minimum of 35 in a Helicopter.
  
• 5 Hours of Instrument Training in an Aircraft or Authorized simulator is Required
• Helicopter Instrument Rating not required
  
• NO FAA WRITTEN Exam
• Pass an FAA Oral and Practical Flight Test 

What is the average length of time it takes to get the add-on Helicopter Commercial Pilot certificate?

60-90 hours, I did mine in 65 hours.

For further reading:
New Commercial PTS - August 1, 2006
Reading Library - Free educational articles

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Further Reading-Learning to Fly
    Private Pilot Frequently Asked Questions
    Frequently asked questions about getting started

New Students:

     How to Save Money on your Flight Training
     My Teaching Beliefs
     Instruction Policies
     Pledge to Flight Students
     FAA Aviation Safety Program - additional aviation education opportunities
     Helicopter Rules That Differ From Airplane Rules

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“The only time an aircraft has too much fuel on board is when it is on fire.”
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, sometime before his death in the 1920's